Climbing in the drops out of the saddle
 

Ok ive seen a few pros climb mountains in the drops and out of the saddle. I have always thought this looks terribly painful. I tried a few hills on it today and now im really fealing some tightness in my hamstrings. However, when I was riding I felt pretty compfortable when riding like that. Does anyone else ever climb like this? I think I could possibly get used to it.

Not me.

I do to sprint up short steep hills.

I do it sometimes and feel comfortable with it. However, the hills here are never very long, so I don't know what it's like to climb that way for an extended time.

Only Marco Pantani was allowed to do that. The rest of use ride the hoods.

Depends.

It might depend on how aggressively your bike is set up. My bars are only slightly below my saddle, and I do climb that way on short hills. It feels wrong to use the hoods.

Actually, if you have to ask ride the hoods or the tops until you figure it out.

I do it on rollers (aka overpasses), but I couldn't see doing it on any long climbs.

depends on wind, bike speed,grade, and handlebar height.

It works great for short, steep hills.:thumb:

Generally not, with some exceptions:

1. Short climbs that aren’t long enough to bring my speed down low enough where aerodynamics isn’t a significant factor
2. Climbing into a strong wind wind.

Me too.

^^^ this

You cab mash the pedals with more force because you can pull up on the bars.

+1. And sometimes just because I feel like it.

yep it's pretty easy. in fact I have to remind myself to get up higher well over the hoods which is actually more comfortable. I think staying in the drops is ok especially in competitive settings but when I'm alone and want to be comfortable and just concentrate on the climb, then I get as high on the bars as possible

I've done it before; anything to break it up and engage different muscles is probably good. Not my favorite position, though.

I finally found the ultimate video on how to climb like a pro.
Pay attention.

http://youtu.be/E6QvK1NXINY

"Although standing is less efficient, it's just as important to climbing success, because you generate a lot more power when you're out of the saddle. And it just looks cooler, too."

Haha.

Feels good man

How can you argue logic like that.

I had forgotten what a beast Pantani was on the climbs, attacked them all.
Best climbing video ever!

I read somewhere that Pantani's frames were custom made with longer headtubes to suit his climbing on the drops style.

I do it because I found I can generate power similar to what I do in a TT which it turns out is more than my up on the hoods. GL

It's generally not recommended, so I don't. There are always exceptions, and when you're a pro, people tend not to question your technique.

http://www.jazzphoto.ch/images/Dizzy_Gillespie.jpg